I was there in Nov 1 1/2 years ago. We were at Bosque for Thanksgiving and only had about a 10 min light shower in the evening in the 4 days we were there. We arrived at Bosque from another lodge a little over an hour away where we had to be pulled across a river to get to it in a little inflatable kayak. This is a river that we either drive or walk through most of the time. It was an unusually rainy fall and most of the Osa had been drenched until about the time we got to BdC. Nov is the transition month for that area and the last of the month will have less rain. Most likely you will encounter a late afternoon or evening shower but will have most of the days to get out and do things.

Look Out Inn is in a good place for serious relaxation because there isn't much to do. I am sorry Tully didn't enjoy herself. I am one of the people who did but then, I had already been traveling around for 2 1/2 weeks and my husband had left the country for home so I was ready for some good beach time. After he left I hung out in the central valley and went out on some trips with Luis at Orquideas Inn before flying back down to the Osa by myself. We had already done our BdC time and I was ready for something else. I went from Look Out to the Pearl of the Osa.

Speaking of the Pearl, the people that own that also own a place called Iguana Lodge right next door. A nice place. Not a whole lot of property but what they have is very nicely done. The chef is great. He had previously worked at Lapa Rios. The beach there is great and it is in a very good location to get out and do some of the wonderful things that area has to offer. It can all be done from BdC but at considerably more expense and time just for transportation.

There is another place right next door that has been getting some good reviews on other travel forums. It is called Black Turtle Lodge.

For another whole different train of thought. How about Drake Bay? La Paloma is a very nice place. Their price seems high initially but when you break it down it really isn't that bad. The pkg price includes the airfare, boat down the Sierpe river and 2 tours as well as all meals. There is a flight from San Jose that stops in Drake Bay before heading down to Puerto Jimenez. You could catch that flight and go to BdC from there. You can also take a 2 hr taxi ride from DB to PJ through a pretty area. (BdC is another 45 mins) The Rincon road is where we go birding a lot. You could even take a taxi to Villas Corcovado which would be an even shorter trip. Do keep in mind if you take this option is that the roads, for the most part are not paved so it will be a bumpy ride the whole way. The taxi driver will stop for bano breaks.

The way that we made BdC affordable was to stay 3 nights at their Casa Teka in the Tropical Garden and do Breakfast and Dinner at the lodge - brought/bought snacks & PB&J sandwiches for lunch. That took more than $100 off per night. That way we could spend 5 nights there - 3 at Casa Teka and 2 at LaPalma. We loved the mix and we do it again - not only to save $ but we loved the mixture of experiences.

Now I realize the Tropical Garden isn't for everyone, but we loved it in February.

This entire thread has been interesting to me. Good to know that nearly all of us have to make choices now and then! Reading about the rate increases makes me glad that I made the decision to return to BdC alone in July before it gets more expensive!

Also, kitamaria, do NOT feel as if you have to stay in a deluxe cabina, unless the thought of 2 beds just doesn't work for you. We selected the standard cabinas 3 years ago (because even then the prices were a stretch for us) and were not disappointed at all. We had El Sol, and I still contend it has the best outdoor shower of the entire resort. I actually don't remember if the beds were doubles or queens, but, after 32 years of marriage, we prefer to sleep separately rather than crowded! So if we have 2 beds instead of a king, we use them both. Remembering that first visit to Bosque del Cabo, the front verandah and the shower were the parts of the cabina that stood out.

We paid $120 per person for 3 nights. It was worth it. That summer, we considered staying in the Tropical Garden and originally booked it because it was cheaper. After giving it some thought, we decided we'd rather spend the extra money (knowing we wouldn't be staying at places like this very often!) and be able to enjoy that nice ocean view from our porch in the afternoons. We were so glad we did. We talked about that while we were there this year, hiking past Casa Teka one afternoon. My husband thinks the ocean breeze in the ocean view cabinas helps keep the cabinas cooler at night--a big deal for him. That said, we spoke with the people who were staying at Teka and they certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves.

I'm glad to know about Villa Corcovado--I'll google it. Don't remember much about it on Fodor's before now. Is it new or has it been there awhile? There used to be another place up at the top of the Golfo Dulce that was mentioned occasionally--anyone remember the name of that place? Piedra something? Also anxious to hear about Playa Nicuesa from you, Tully. I had forgotten all about that leg of your trip until you mentioned it again. Are you now counting the days???

Having looked into Lookout Inn (kind of strange the way that sounds!), I don't know if it would be for us or not. I did like the idea of doing the overnight Corcovado Park hike with the guide at Lookout. Something like that sounds interesting to me.

I, too, have regretted the constant upward mobility in the pricing all over CR, most noticeable in hotels. Those $60-$70 rooms that were so abundant a few years ago were definitely part of the appeal. Still a few great deals to be had, but everything having to do with the influx of tourists (such as higher prices) is such a turn off. Inevitable, though. Funny how I don't consider myself a tourist. . .

There is something to be said for that, though. There are those of us who genuinely love and respect (and have a sense of wanting to preserve) the country and others for whom it is just another vacation destination. I guess that is what worries me about all the development particularly on the Pacific coast. I'm afraid that it will at some point be abandoned after it has marred the beautiful countryside, leaving the country with a huge problem to deal with.

When we were there a few days ago, I was reading an article in the Tico Times regarding all the illegal development. Seems many developers are going ahead with building all up and down the coast without permits and without regard to protecting anything. Apparently they are not willing to wade through the red tape nor wait for long periods of time for permits that are slow to be issued. They would rather pay a little fine down the road after getting their hands slapped. Costa Rica does not have the infrastructure in place to deal with the sheer magnitude of this particular problem at either end-- reviewing the permit applications OR determining the penalty for building without the permits. It has become a huge problem--and all perpetuated by people who don't give a rat's --- for the country, its ecosystems, or its people. The irresponsiblity of it all makes me downright angry. That's enough of my soapbox. . .

I feel the same way about Peace Lodge as you, Tully. For the past 3 years, I've told myself that we were NOT going to pay that kind of $$ for a hotel that really is more for "show" than anything else. But it has become our "splurge" hotel for this summer. 2 nights and I'm sure we'll love it, amidst little twinges of guilt!

Everyone has been very helpful. I am glad I have decided to stay with my original itinerary and not cut out the Osa in favor or MA (I am sure MA is great too). I am still pretty set on the Mariposa cabina and figured out a way to make it work for 3 nights. I have plenty of time to think about my other Osa spot.... Lookout Inn, Iguana Lodge, Black Turtle Lodge. I am sure each place has its charm.

I can also understand the price increases from a supply and demand perspective and appreciate the philosophy of BdC and am sure it will be worth the money. When else will I have the opportunity to sleep inside a rainforest!

Good for you - I don't think you'll regret it at all. And it never hurts to get a little variety as well, you may find that one area holds much more appeal to you after your trip.

Jill I keep forgetting about Playa Nicuesa myself, lol. Not that I'm not looking forward to it, it just that it's between Peace Lodge & Bosque and those 3 nights keep slipping my mind. And yeah, Peace Lodge...the price, the being 'over the top', I've skipped it 3 times now and just decided what the heck. The grounds just look so incredible to be worth it, so if the rooms drive me over the edge I will sit in the patio jacuzzi with a bottle of wine and try to bear with it

tully -- Wish I could join you for the wine

I sat down last night and did a budget comparison of "average" hotel accomodations vs. BDC. After adding in meals, taxis/transport and tour costs on top of the "average" hotel, I actually feel like I"m getting a pretty good deal at BDC and think it will be worth every penny!

Tully, we had the same dilema. How could something so over the top be any good (Peace Lodge). We really did enjoy ourselves. The food at the time didn't impress me. I had two very different dinners but both had the same sauce poured over them. It was a good sauce but once was enough. The new restaurant was being built then and it sounds like they have more choices. The grounds and the room more than made up for it. We were glad that we hadn't been there before for a day tour so it was all new and exciting. Can't wait to hear about Nicuesa.

kitamaria, memories of Bosque will stay with you for a long time. It really is a special place. It has been our splurge place for many years now. I am just glad that we will be living down there more and more and can just pop in for a day or two rather than have to worry about our whole vacation budget being affected. I have traveled alone several times down in CR after my husband leaves and usually stay in mid to lower end places then and they don't bother me if I know it will mean a day or two longer on the Osa. It is worth it.

It is always so much fun to read about peoples first or second trips. I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Most of my trips now are staying with friends and looking for property, talking with lawyers, builders etc. Haven't gotten to do much in the way of tourist things in CR the last couple of years.

Regarding all of the uncontrolled building going on....we tried to buy some property on the Osa by Drake Bay several years ago and were told by a lawyer in San Jose that the Osa would be twice the size it is if all the people that said they had title really did. A lot of the properties don't have a clear title. I am so glad that we found a place where the owner of the property really is trying to protect it and have it become part of a biological corridor connected to the former Skutch property. We are taking a tree course with the people that run Los Cusingos now so we can choose the best trees to plant to attract the birds and wildlife that should be found in that area like the Quetzal.

One thing that is true about Bosque del Cabo--although expensive, it tends to remain a good value for the package you get. IF you have an interest in that type of package--the hiking, the wildlife, etc. --all combined with a bit of luxury and excellent dining.

I know that it is expensive to maintain a property and keep it "on the cutting edge" as well as just generally well-maintained. Especially on the Osa. We were happy to see the new restaurant building and upstairs reading/library center. Such a marvelous improvement. The food was better, more choices, more gourmet, and the facility itself quite impressive. That didn't get built for nothing, so we were able to justify the cost difference in this time and last time--property upgrades! Did we enjoy it a hundred times more than the tent covered temp dining area of 3 years ago? Well, heck yeah! Food and ambiance is important! It's always such a treat--seems no matter what time one arrives at BdC, they always take you right to the restaurant and WOW you with the a great meal!

Point is, it will be interesting to see what changes and property improvements will accompany the latest increase. I'm betting there will be something that we will all be glad to enjoy! Salud!

Maintaining that property is a job I am sure. We just have 30 acres here at home in Ohio and it is a chore sometimes but we love it. Glad we only have 10 in CR. Can't imagine what it would take to maintain a place as big as Bosque. My husband is a lot like Phil, can't seem to stop making new trails.

I never got to eat in that tent. Must have been interesting. At least you weren't scared off by it. The old dining room/kitchen that you didn't get to see was a lot smaller (still had to fit the same people as today!) but still cute and the food was very good. A lot of it the same as today. Phil was doing more of the cooking back then. Maureen is a little more creative at dinner time for sure.

That bridge was quite expensive to put in I am sure. Wish it had been there when we stayed in the garden area. Much easier to get back and forth to the garden now, particularly after dinner.

I guess I am just having some sticker shock thinking about the new prices. We just got back from Guatemala and paid half as much or less for some very beautiful places. None had as much acreage but they were beautiful in their own way. Pictures posted under Guatemala revisited report.

kitamaria- i just got back from BdC (in the Mariposa cabina- which we LOVED) last Friday (3/30) and just wanted to put my two cents in - it's worth every penny. And I too had some reservations with the cost at the beginning. But the place really does live up to everything everyone on here says. I saw and learned so much, and am thankful for staying there and having the opportunites that I had. I can't wait to get back someday!

amyt321, i just faxed my reservation for FOUR nights --I decided to just go for it, but I am glad to hear you had a great time in the Mariposa cabina. The place does sound incredible and Kim and Leonardo have been very nice and helpful over email.

kitamaria,
Good for you! I had to smile. If I could count the times we have "bitten the bullet" in Costa Rica! Never been disappointed!

Our most recent examples of "bullet biting" include Peace Lodge,
Borinquen Resort in the Rincon de La Viejo area, and maybe Xandari on the Pacific, down near Jaco. We are just so used to staying in really decent places for not much $$, the higher prices popping up all over the place seem more like splurges than they really are. . .

I've been trying to book a hotel in New York City over Memorial Day weekend for my daughters and I. Ohmygosh!

You will agree with Amy when it is all said and done that it was well worth it! You can always give each other socks at Christmas!

Ooohh Shillmac - I had to chuckle about the socks. Over our 17 years of marriage we have done that so many times (well almost - only "stocking stuffers&quot in order to get something we both wanted - this year it was our new nikon camera and a "splurge" lens.

kitamarie - yeah!! You won't regret it, I promise.

One way we have been able to return to Bosque more than once is we rent the Casa Blanca house and bring some of our own food to cook in the full kitchen. We LOVE this house and refer to it as "our house" - don't know the current price, but it has a king bed in one bedroom, two queens (I think) in the other, 2 full bathrooms, a living room and a kitchen and the most AMAZING deck overlooking the ocean with 2 hammocks and lots of chairs etc. You can choose to eat meals at the lodge or fix your own... WE LOVE IT!

Been there done that with the stocking stuffers! This year it was our Nikon Digiscope. I am so tired of hauling around all those huge lenses for the box cameras. Makes it hard to pack light. It only weighed a little over a pound even with the spotting scope attached. The lightweight tripod was nothing to carry as well. I can finally have clothes and pictures!

Kitamaria,
We fell in love with BdC several years ago and it has become a given on just about every trip we make down there-sometimes twice a year. It is worth it. No doubt in my mind that you will really enjoy it. Peace lodge was worth the splurge as well. Would love to go back there for just a night to see the changes. Might be nice for you for next trip.

We may have to switch over to the house. I cook our meals at home almost every day anyway. Can't give up my ocean view. Having grown up on the East Coast I really miss the ocean here in Ohio. The closest I get here is finding fossils from when Ohio was once under water.